Israeli authorities recently announced the discovery of a rare oil lamp dating back to the 4th century, just in time for Hanukkah.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) explained in a Facebook post published Thursday that an oil lamp dating back to the late Roman Empire was discovered during recent excavations near Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.
Although the artifacts appear to refer to the Second Temple, they were created more than 200 years after the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, and archaeologists say they include an incense shovel, a menorah, They found lulav carved into date palm leaves, which are used to celebrate Sukkot. lamp.
“Found in complete condition, this lamp's exquisite artistic workmanship makes it outstanding and extremely rare,” IAA excavation director Michael Chernin said in a statement. “The menorah, the incense shovel, and the lulav are symbols of the Jewish connection to the Temple.”
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The oil lamp is approximately 1,700 years old and dates from the 4th century. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
The lamp also still has soot marks from when it was last used some 2000 years ago.
“This unique find was used for lighting some 1,700 years ago, judging by the soot marks on the nozzle, and provides an interesting glimpse into the cultural and religious life of the Jews during this period.” IAA stated.
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The lamp was discovered near Jerusalem, near the Mount of Olives. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
In the late Roman Empire, Christianity became the popular religion and Roman polytheism was largely abandoned. Israel still had a significant Jewish population and faced persecution by the Romans.
Chernin added that the oil lamps were “particularly surprising” because little is known about the Jews who lived in Jerusalem in the fourth century.
“After the Roman emperor Hadrian crushed the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 AD, the Jews were expelled from the city,” the historian explained. “The Mount of Olives lamp is one of the few physical traces of a Jewish presence around Jerusalem from the 3rd to 5th centuries CE.”
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Officials said the discovery was “particularly surprising” because fourth-century Jewish artifacts are difficult to obtain near the Mount of Olives. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
IAA research archaeologist Benjamin Stochan said the craftsmen who created the lamps “expended a great deal of time and effort in their decoration.”
“The lamp was created by delicately and intricately carving a limestone mold using a drill and chisel,” Stochan said. “The mold was made from two parts, an upper part and a lower part. To create the lamp, the potter pressed the clay into the mold and then pressed it together.”
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Stolkan also said the lamp likely belonged to a Jew who “purchased it because of his religious affiliation and monument to the temple.”
The lamps feature religiously significant details such as menorahs and lulavs. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
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The lamp is on display to the public at the new J. and Jeannie Schottenstein National Archaeological Campus in Jerusalem and will be unveiled to the public through the Festival of Lights.
